Human ‘alarm clock’ enzyme discovered
1st October 2011
When your alarm clock doesn’t go off, you can thank a humble enzyme for getting you out of bed, scientists at the Salk Institute reveal in research published today.
Researchers examining the mechanisms that control our sleep have found the chemical reaction that makes us stir abruptly, throw the cat off the bed and stumble blinking into the bathroom.
They have pinpointed an enzyme called JARID1a which acts as a molecular “bugle call” to our cells, firing them into action, say research team led by Satchindananda Panda and Luciano DiTacchio.
Quick — send a massive supply to Washington.